Car-switch controller for electric elevators.



A. SUNDH. GAR SWITCH CONTROLLER FOB. ELECTRIC ELEVATORS;

APPLICATION-FILED AUG.11,"'1908.

Patented July 8, 1913.

w M A 4- m a 4 7 m 1 W A. SUNDH. GAR SWITCH CONTROLLER rpn ELECTRIC ELEVATORS.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 11, 1908.

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Patented July 8; 1913.

A. SUNDH. GAB. SWITCH CONTROLLER FOB ELECTRIC ELEVATORS.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG.11, 1908.

Patented July 8, 1913.

4 sums-sums.

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CAB SWITCH CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRIC ELEVATORS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1908. 1,066,678. F 6' 7 W Patented July 8, 1913.

4 sums-sum 4.

WITNESS? INVENQTI-T %M%%y (m ATTORNEY designed UNITED STATES PATENT oFFroE.

AUGUST SUNDH, or Yoaemmw Yoiex, As smivpn'ro QTIS nLnvA'ron COMPANY,

OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

csh swrrcn coarmmm Yon ELECTRIC ELEVATORS. v

M y invention relates to controlling mech-- anis'm for electrical apparatus, and more particularly to a car swltch or automatic r Y 1 controller-for use in an electric elevator system.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a car switch in which the switch lever may beinored to a position corresponding to any floor landing at which it may he desired to stop the. car, and which will be automatically operated by the movement of the car to bring the car to rest at such landing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a car switch which will not require any skill on the part of the'op'erator to bring the car to rest at the proper position ppo site any desired floor landin' without turning the current on and '0 several times. With the usual forms of controllers, if the car switch is not operated just at the right moment it is often necessary to tlll'll the current on and off several times before the car is brought to the position required, which results in a great waste of current. This is especially true in the operation of high speed elevators; The present invention is to avoid this waste of electrical energy and also to dispense with the require ment of a sltilled o'perator, as well as to in sure a more certain, accurate and quick opcration in stopping the car.

Other objects of the invention willappear hereinafter, the novel combinations of elements being set claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 IS a front elevation ofthe 'cai' switch or controller, a portion of the casing being broken away to show the interior mechanism more clearly; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same and the operatino' gearing therefor; 3 is a part section'a elevation of the gearing for automatically operating the controlleryFi g. 4 is a detail view of the guide strips. and catch for the latch on the switch handle; Fig. 5 is a detail Specification of Letters Patent.

forth in the appended Patented July 8, 1913.

Application filed August 11, 1908. Serial No. 448,017.

[of contact strips in the circuits of the reversing switch magnets; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of an elevator systemsto which ing diagram of the controlling circuits.

To illustrate the application of the invention, I have shown in Fig. 6 a common type of, ele'vat-or system in which the car C is lifted and lowered by means of an electric motor M. The hoisting cables 6 extend from 'the drive sheave 7 up over the guide sheaves 8 and 9, and are connected at their opposite ends to'the car C and counterweight W, respectively.

The motor controlling mechanism rompris'es the car switch or controller K, the reversing switches R and R, a series field winding 11, a resistance 12, and an electrobe rotated manually, and a part B rotated automatically as the car is moved. The part comprises a contact ring 10, a contact segin'ent 20, and contact strips 30 and of the reversing switches R- and R. The

adapted to engage the contact strip 30. when moved to' the right, and the contact strip 40fwhen moved to the left. A sliding contact electrically connected with the con gages the contact ring 10 at all times, and the segment when the parts are in the position shown. y

The car is shown at its upper limit of travel with the ciirrent cut off from the moto'r and the brake applied. T 0 start the car downward, the switch lever L is moved to the right. When the contactl on the switch lever engages the strip a circuit is, established through the magnet coil 31 of the reversing switch R as follows,- -from the ositive main through the conductors 16, 1 contact ring 10, contacts 15 and 14: on the switch lever, contact strip 30, conductor 30', magnet coil 31 of the reversing switch R, and cohdi ctor 17 to the negative main. A circuit is also closed at this time throu h the magnet coil 21 which may be tracer? through the conductors l6, 10, con tact ring 10, sliding contact 15, segment 20*, conductor 20, coil 21 and conductors 18 and 17 to the negative main. The switch 13 is magnetic switch 13 controlling said resistanc'e. The controller K, as shown in Fig. 7 comprises an operating lever L adapted to Y 40 connected to the magnet coils 81 and 4]..

switch lever L carries a sliding contact 1 1 the invention is applied; and Fig. 7 is a wirtact- 14 is also carried by the lever L and entherefore held closed and short-circuits the resistance 12. The reversing switch is now operated and closes a circuitthrough the conductor 16, contacts 19, conductor 22, armature brush 23, armature A of the motor M, brush 24, conductor 25, contacts 26, and conductor 17. The motor armature therefore receives current. The operation of the reversing switch R also establishes a circuit through the shunt field winding 11. This circuit is by way of conductors 16, 27, con tacts 28, conductor 29, field winding 11, con: duetor 32, switch 13, conductor 33, contacts 34, and conductors and 17. The brake magnet coil 36 connected between the conductors 29 and 33 also receives current and lifts the brake. The motor will now start witha strong magnetic field, providing'a strong starting torque but permitting only a slow speed. 4 .When the switch lever is moved a little farther, the contact 15 leaves the segment 20 and opens the circuit through the magnet coil .21. This permits the switch 13 to open and introduce the resistance 12 in circuit with the field winding 11 so that the field strength is reduced and themotor permitted to accelerate to full speed. The switch lever L is moved-to a position corresponding to the floor landing to which it is desired to bring the car, and held in such pgsiti'oii by means which will be described later. As soon as the car commences its downward movement, the member B commences to rotate in a clockwise direction, and continues to do so while the car is moving. As the car nears the position corresponding to the position of the switch lever, the segment 20 runs under the contact 15 and again completes the circuit through the magnet 21. The switch 13 will 4 therefore be closed, short-circuiting the resistance 12, increasing the strength of the motor field, and reducing the speed of themotor. The contact strip 30 next runs oif the contact 14'and opens the circuit through the reversing switch magnet coil 31, so that the reversing switch, It opens and cuts oil the supply of current to the motor armature, the field winding. and the brake coil, applying the brake and stopping the motor and car. The movable parts of the controller K are now in the same relative position as at the start. A further movement of the switch lever in a clockwise direction will cause the operations just described to be repeated, bringing the car to a lower floor landing. To cause the car ,to move upwardly, the switch lever L is moved in the opposite direction so that the contact 14 engages the contact strip 40 and closes a circuit through the magnet coil 41 of the reersing switch R. The operation of the witch R closes a circuit through the motor armature in the reverse direction, the circuits through the field coil 11, magnet coil 21 and brake magnet being in the same direction as before, so that the motor is run in a direction to lift the car.

The construction of the controller K and operating mechanism will now be described.

As shown in Fig. 2, the controller mechanism is located within a casing 37 provided with a removable cover or front .plate 38 secured to the casing by screws39. 1 The casing 37 has a central hollow hub 42 which forms a journal bearing for the drive shaft 43. The hub 42 extends beyond themasing through the side wall 44 of the car. A

worm wheel 45 is secured to the shaft 43 and meshes with a worm 46 on the worm shaft 47. The worm and worm wheel are inclosed in a casing 48. A plate 49 secured to the outer-surface of the car wall 44 is provided with a journal bearing for the outer end of the worm shaft 47, and also with bearings for idler shafts Sprocket wheels 52, 53 and 54 are secured in alinement on the shafts 5'0, 47 and 51, re-

drive sprocket wheel 53.

Secured to the shaft 43 for rotation therewith is the member B of the controller,

50 and 51.

which is rotated in a clockwise direction as the car travels downwardly and in the reverse direction as the car moves upwardly,

the gearing being so proportioned in this instance that said member will make nearly a complete revolution during the movement of the car from one limit of travel to the other. -The member B comprises a metal plate or disk 58 having lugs 59 formed on its periphery and a hub 60 keyed to the shaft 43. Ball bearings 61 may be provided between the hub 60 and the stationary hub 42, if desired. Secured to the back of the disk 58 are four concentric rings 10", 20", 30 and 40 spaced apart and insulated from the disk by a plate of insulating material 63. These rings are respectively in sliding contact with four spring metal strips 01 brushes 10, 20, 30 and 40, which in turn are respectively connected to the conductors 10, 20, 30 and 40 (Fig. 7). The conductors vmay be led through an opening 66 in the casing and connected to binding posts 67' on the contact strips 10, etc. The ring 10 is electrically connected to the ring 10 on the front of the disk 58 by means of bolts 64 insulated from the disk. The ring 10 is insulated from the disk 58 by a plate 62 of insulating material. The ring 20 is electrically connected to the segment 20 by a conductor 65 and at 06 (Fig. 1 The rings 30" and 40* are electrically connected to the contact strips 30 and 40 respectively. by the conductors 67 and 68.

The contact strips 30 and 40 form nearly complete rings which are adjustably secured to the disk 58' by means of bolts 69 extending through slots 70 in the contactstrips and screw-threaded into the lugs 59. These contact strips are separated by a strip of insulatin material 71, and from the lugs 59 and bofis 69 by insulating bushings 7 2.

The switch lever L is loosely mounted on a reduced portion of the shaft 43 and has a depending arm 73, in the lower end of which is mounted a spring-pressed contact 15 hearing against the ring and segment 20. As here shown, the contact is cylindrical inform and movable longitudinally in a sleeve 75 carried by the arm 73 and insulated therefrom by a bushin 7 6 of insulating material. A coil spring 7 within the sleeve holds thesliding contact against the ring 10 at all times. and also against the segment when it is opposite the sliding contact. The switch lever L carries an arm '78 pivoted thereto by a bolt 79. Bolted to this arm is an insulated sliding contact 14 adapted to bear against the contact strips and 40 When the switch lever is 1n a Vertical position, as shown in Fig. 1, the

' arm 78 is between the ends of the contact strips 30 and 40 and is held vertical by the leaf springs 81 and 82. The ends of the strips 40 and 30 are inclined as shown in Fig. 5, so that as the switch lever is moved to the left the contact 14 is guided onto the strip 40 and held against it by the leaf spring 82, and when moved to the right the contact 14 is guided onto the strip 30 and held against it by the leaf spring 81. A conductor 83 electrically unites the sliding contacts 14 and 15.

The handle 84 of the switch lever L is provided with a latch 85 having a stem 86 extending into the switch lever, and a coil spring 87 below the stem exerts an outward pressure at all times on the latch. A plurality of guide strips 88, corresponding in number to the number of floor landings, are located in the path of travel 015 the latch 85. Each of these strips has a widened portion or head 89 extending to the edge of the cover plate 38, and a flange 90.' The strips are adjust'ably secured to the cover plate by means of slots 91 formed in the flanges 90, and screws 92 extending through the slots and into the cover plate. Each of the guide strips 88 has one end oflset as at 93 so as to overlap the end of the next strip and thus permit "adjustment of the individual strips without breaking the continuity of the ring or bearing surface formed by the strips.

vEach guide strip has a notch 94 into which the latch 85 is adapted to snap and lock the motor is permitted switch lever when it is brought opposite such notch, the notches being positioned to correspond with the open positions of the switch for the several floor landings. These positions are designated 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and the several floors are designated 1*, 2, 3 4 and 5 The operation of the controller will be understood from the following description. To bring the car from the position shown to the second floor, for example, the operator grasps the handle 84, and with one finger depresses the latch 85 to release it from the notch 94, and then rotates the switch'lever in a clock-wise direction to the position designated '2. As the lever nears this position the latch 85 may be released so that it will snap into the notch 94 when the lever reaches the desired position; In this movement of the lever the contact piece 14: is first brought against the contact 30*and closes a circuit. through the reversing switch magnet 31 and ettects the starting of the motoi as already explained. The portion of this circuit through the controller K may be traced from the conductor 10 through contact strip 10, ring 10", bolts 6 1, ring 10 sliding contact 15, conductor 83', contact 14:. contact strip 30, conductor 67, ring 30 and contact strip 80 to which the conductor 30 is connected.

to accelerate to full; speed when the continued movement of the switch lever separates the sliding contact/15 from the segment 20?, but the motor may be kept at slowv speed, by moving the switch lever only far enou the reversing switch, andthen as the'co-ntroller member B commences to rotate, following 11 such movement by a slight pressure on t e switch lever. The inclined ends of the contacts 30 and 40 ofier enough resistance to the movement of the contact ll. so that the latter may readily be held against the contact strip as it rotates without being moved farther onto the contact strip.

h to close the circuit through As before pointed out, the

It the switch lever has been moved to po- 7 sit-ion 2, the rotatable member B will follow it up and open the motor circuits and stop the car when it is at the second floor landing. The position at which the car stops may be independently adjusted for each floor landing by adjusting the corresponding guide strip 88. By adjusting the contact for all the floors may be changed at p travel corresponding It will be understood that the form of controller .herein disclosed may readily be adapted to any desired number. of floor landings. The same controller may be used, for example, for a greater number of floors by simply removing the guide strips 88 and replacing them by-a larger number of shorter strips. The sprocket wheel 53 may also be replaced by a'larger wheel to reduce the speed of the controller. Various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts herein shown may also be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. not to be limited to the exact construction shown.

What I claim as new and-desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In an elevator system, the combination of a car, of a motor, a manual fdevice carried by. the car and movable into positions each corresponding to a floor landing, and means controlled thereby for bringing the car from either direction automatically to Y rest at the floor landing corresponding with a given position of the said device. 2. The combination with a car, of a motor a manual device carried by the car and movable therein in either direction and any desired distance within a given range, and means controlled thereby for. operating the motor and moving-the car a distance proportional to and in the direction corresponding to *the movement of said device.

3. The combination of a car, a motor, a manual device carried by the car and movable therein in opposite directions and any desired distance within. a given range of movement, and means controlled thereby.

for moving the car from both a position above and a position below the point of its to the position of said device to said point. P

4. The combination of a car, a motor, a.

manualdevice within the car andmovable in opposite directions, and means controlled I wish, therefore,

thereby for effecting a movement of the car corresponding in direction and extent to the movement of said device when-the latter is moved in .either direction.

5. In an elevator system, the combination of a'car,an electric motor, a manual device carried by the car and movable to positions each corresponding to a different position of the car, and means controlled by said device for supplying current to the motor and effecting a movement of the car both when it is above and when it is below the position corresponding to the position of said device, and cutting off the current supply and bringing the car to rest when the positions of the carv and said device correspond.

6. In an elevator, the combination of a car, an electric motor, a controller comprls ing a manual element and an automatic ele ment controlling the movement of the car by their relative position and maintaining the car at rest when the said elements are in a predetermined relative position, electric circuits and connections between the controller and motor operable when the manual elementismoved in either direction from said position of rest to cause the car to be moved in a corresponding direction and driving connections between the motor and said automatic element to move-the latter as the car moves and bring the said elements to said relative position of rest when the car has movedv a distance corresponding to the movement of the manual element.

7 In an elevator, the combination of a car, an electric motor, a controller in the car comprising a manual element movable in both directions, and means fiSSOClfitBd with said element to move the car in a direction corresponding to the direction in which sald manual element is moved, and a dlstance proportional to the extent of movement of said manual element. Y

In testimony whereof, I- have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. w Y AUGUST 'SUNDH. Witnesses: I

CHAS. Nissan, JArrssD. Ivnns. 

